MagzineFebruary2023 230204 153415

WINR - February, 2023
ii Monthly Current Events Diary
C O N T E N T S
01
1 Focus 1: Abdel
Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt’s
President as Chief
Guest at India’s 74th
Republic Day
02
2 Focus 2 : DAVOS
SUMMIT 2023: WEF
03
3 Focus 2 :
Governance of Global
South
05
4 SWOT Analysis
08
5 Graphs from PIB

13
6 Bills and Acts
14
7 Concept in News
17
8 Monthly Updates
Economy, Polity,
International Affairs, Defence
Science and Technology
Railways, Agriculture,
Banking, Environment, Space
Appointments/ Resignation
Ranks and Reports
Awards & Recognition
Days and Events, Obituaries
Sports, Policies and Schemes,
Healthcare, Important MCQ
1
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt’s
FOCUS
President as Chief Guest at India’s

74th Republic Day
News • Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took over as president in 2014, visited
India in 2015 for 3rd India-Africa summit in New Delhi.
• President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attended 74th
• He visited India again in 2016 on a state visit.
Republic day as Chief Guest
• During COVID-19, Egypt supplied 3 lakh doses of Remdesevir
• It is first time that the president of Egypt has been invited as
to India.
Chief Guest at the Republic day.
• Last year even after imposing a ban on wheat exports, India
• This was after a gap of 2 years that a foreign dignitary was
still supplied wheat to Egypt.
present as chief guest on the occasion of republic day.
• Indian investment in Egypt is around $ 3.15 billion while
Outcomes of visit Egyptian investment is merely $ 37 million.
• Trade between both countries is fairly balanced.
• Ties were raised to the level of strategic partnership.
• A military contingent from Egyptian army participated in Future of ties
republic day parade.
• Egypt has invited Indian side to invest in Mega projects
• 5 agreements were signed in fields of –
coming up in Egypt.
1. Culture
• Indian agriculture can benefit by being a reliable supplier of
2. IT
food grains and other food items to Egypt as it imports more
3. Cyber Security
than 80 percent of its food grain requirement.
4. Youth matters
• Offer of allocating an area in SUEZ especially for Indian
5. Broadcasting- to exchange TV, Radio programmes
industries can benefit both as India seeks to become factory
• Both sides agreed that Terror is most serious security threat
of the world and Egypt seeks investment to revive economy.
to humanity.
• Location of Egypt makes it an attractive manufacturing
• Highlighted importance of intensifying cooperation in field
destination for export oriented Industries.
of security and coordination.
• India can be a reliable supplier of Defence equipment to
• Agreed to develop a long term framework of greater
Egypt.
cooperation in- political, economic, security and scientific
• Diplomatically Egypt has never been vocal critic of India in
fields.
Forums like organisation of Islamic cooperation and this
• To raise the bilateral trade to $ 12bn annually in the next 5
moderate stance of Egypt leaves ample scope for future
years from current level of $ 7.2 bn per annum.
cooperation.
• Egypt hinted at possibility of allocating an area in Suez
Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ) especially for Indian industries, What more India can do?
wherein Indian side can arrange for master plan.
• It needs to keep divisive forces in check at home to avoid any
Ties in the past communal confrontation turning a sour point for diplomatic
ties.
• India and Egypt have 4000 years old civilisational links since
• It has to ramp up its delivery and investment as China is
Harappa times.
already in the game with its deep pockets.
• Diplomatic relations between the two started on 18 Aug,
• Indian can explore the possibility of setting up academic
1947, which means this year also marks the 75 years of
institutions in Egypt and taking up other high community
bilateral diplomatic relations.
impact projects for better people to people ties.
• India and Egypt were among the founders of NAM in 1961.
• 4 Indian prime ministers have visited the Egypt – Egypt has been invited as a Guest country
1. Rajeev Gandhi 1985 during India’s presidency of G20 in 2022-23. Thus
2. P. V. Narshima Rao 1995 Egyptian president would be visiting India again
3. I. K. Gujaral 1997
4. Manmohan Singh 2009
later this year.

2
2
FOCUS
DAVOS SUMMIT 2023: WEF
DAVOS SUMMIT 2023: WEF 2023 Summit Theme: Cooperation in a

fragmented world
Why in News: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
(WEF) 2023 annual summit was held in ski resort Important points
town of Davos, Switzerland. • With support of more than 45 partners, WEF launched
“Giving to Amplify Earth Action” (GAEA), as a global initiative
to fund and grow new and existing Public, Private and
About WEF Philanthropic Partnerships(PPPPs) to help unlock $ 3 trillion
• It is a nongovernmental lobbying organisation founded by of financing needed each year to reach net zero, reverse
economist Klaus Schwab in 1971. nature loss and restore biodiversity by 2050.
• Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international • New coalition of trade ministers on climate launched
institution for public-private cooperation. to boost international Cooperation on climate, trade &
• Forum strives in all its efforts to demonstrate sustainable development.
entrepreneurship in the global public interest while • Chief Economist’s Outlook
upholding the highest standards of governance. 1. was launched, with 2/3rd of those surveyed expecting a
• Schwab pioneered the concept of “stakeholder capitalism”, global recession in 2023.
which according to him “is a form of capitalism in which 2. It explores economic environment, prospects for growth,
companies do not only optimize short term profits for Inflation, Monetary and fiscal policy.
shareholders, but seek long term value creation, by taking 3. Calls for reskilling in order to prepare current and future
into account the needs of all their stakeholders and society workforces for green transition, digital transition, and
at large.” This form of economic organisation keeps society jobs of the future.
and planet Front and Centre, moving beyond narrow • Global Collaboration Village  rolled out by WEF as its own
interests of a corporation. metaverse platform designed to look like actual town of
• Basically it is a forum for bringing Schwab’s vision of Davos.
capitalism to life by engaging with foremost political and India and WEF
business leaders of world.
• WEF is largely funded by its partnering corporations. • 2023 marks 36 years of collaboration between WEF & India.
• It also does not give media full access to ensure informal • India’s focus remained on investment opportunities,
conversations among leaders. infrastructure landscape, inclusive and sustainable growth.
• India@100- was launched on sidelines of summit and as per
Publications this report Indian economy will reach $ 26 trillion by 2047,
• Energy transition index which is 100th year of Indian independence.
• Global competitiveness index Main participants
• Global gender gap report
• Global risks report • Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railway Minister)
• Global travel and tourism report • R.K. Singh (Minister of power, new & renewable energy)
• Global it report(WEF along with INSEAD and Cornell • Smriti Irani (Minister of women and child development)
University)
WINR - December, 2022

3
FOCUS
Governance of Global South
can share their best practices with the countries of Global

Why in news? South.
As India assumed presidency of G20, External affairs • India is the largest contributor to UN Peacekeeping missions
which are mostly deployed in Global South.
minister S. Jaishankar said that the country would be
• India has offered many of its digital public goods to
the Voice of Global South. On 12 Jan, P.M. Narendra developing countries.
Modi inaugurated voice of global south summit • During pandemic it offered and supplied vaccines to many
(virtual) to collaborate on political, economic, social, countries.
environmental, cultural & technical issues. What more India can do?
• Helping Global south through its technological capabilities
Theme: “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose” like in case of Green energy transition
What is global south? • It can help Global South to adopt its digital public goods
In international relations this term means regions(countries) like Digilocker, UPI, Aadhar, COWIN etc. for their digital
largely within the Latin America, Asia, Africa, Oceania which are transformation.
relatively low income and less developed in relation to global • It can and had helped in the field of medical, being the
north(developed counties) rather than northern and southern Pharmacy of the World.
hemisphere countries. • India can mobilize Global south for change in world as PM
highlighted that Global South does not have adequate voice
Why global south? in eight decades old model of global governance and it
• Because these countries are feeling marginalized in political should shape emerging order.
and cultural terms. They share common concerns such • India can help in training personnel of various countries in
as rising population, low levels of development, poverty, various fields as it currently training personnel from Nepal
dependence on global north for technology and finance. and Bhutan.
• Global south feels marginalized even in international • India is only major country from Global South except China
institutions like UN where only one country from global which has gained stature in Global North and hence can
south (China) has permanent veto. raise the voice of Global South at World level.
• Global south has negligible voting rights in W. Bank and IMF Issues with Global South
in comparison to their population and no. of countries. • Terrorism has been a dividing issue among 2 major countries-
• They face issues arising from WTO which advocates barrier china and India.
free trade while Global South wants to keep some of these • Debt Trap diplomacy of china raises suspicion among fellow
as its industry & technology are in infant stage and cannot nations about intentions of big players of Global South.
compete openly with the developed world (Global North). • Countries are at different levels of development and hence
Why Global South is important? their concerns are not same also.
• If half of the world with more than half of the world • Global South except China suffers from Inadequacy of finances.
population continues to lag behind, it cannot be called a • Global South is still dependent on Global North esp. in case
developed and equitable world. of pioneer technologies and IPRs.
• Global North would also continue to face issues like • Social, Ethnic and religious divide in and among Global
refugees, climate crisis, Terrorism, natural resource crunch, south nations.
human rights issues etc. Way forward
India’s role in Governance of Global South • Global South should be based on democratic principles like
WTO so that every country feels equally empowered.
• India’s role in Global South is made more wanting due to it
• Decisions should be based mainly on consensus or a high
being one of the fastest growing major economy, its rising
majority (e.g. 2/3rd majority).
technological and financial clout, cultural linkages to the
• It should have a permanent secretariat and staff for smooth
Global South and issue of debt trap diplomacy of china.
day to day functioning so that it does not go in oblivion.
• On 12Jan, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the virtual Voice
• There can be annual meetings at the head of state/govt.
of Global South Summit to collaborate on a range of issues
Level for swift decision making.
and be their voice at upcoming G20 summit in India. • It should have a mechanism to oversee the implementation
• India is a vibrant democracy now with well functioning of decisions taken and an appellate mechanism for dispute
institutions like Election Commission, CAG, UPSC etc which resolution.
4 Monthly Current Events Diary

Analysis
3 SC upholding EWS Quota

SWOT
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
¾¾ Its deviation from the special protections guaranteed to
¾¾ Will allow the continuance of reservations to EWS in
socially disadvantaged groups as part of the Constitution.
jobs and educational institutions and will help them in
¾¾ Excluding SCs/STs and OBCs from EWS cannot be justified
overcoming economical backwardness.
and amounts to discrimination against them.
¾¾ Will also prove beneficial in eradicating the stigma
¾¾ Violates the Supreme Court’s ruling in Indra Sawhney &
associated with the caste reservation of SC/ST/OBC.
Ors v Union (1992) of India, which capped reservations at
50 per cent.
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
¾¾ Provides an opportunity for the legislature, judiciary, ¾¾ The provision of upholding compensatory discrimination
society and other stake holders to discuss and debate in favour of the forward classes can open Pandora’s boxes
together for larger question of relooking at various undermining the basis of affirmative action provided in
aspects of reservations as a whole the constitution.
¾¾ Allowing breach of the cap set on the reservation through
EWS can lead to further infractions which can result in
compartmentalisation.

The Uniform Civil Code in India
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
¾¾ Will enable them to feel as a single unit irrespective of ¾¾ It will be difficult to implement in a diverse country like
caste, creed, religion etc. and help in unity and integrity India where different set of rituals and religious laws are
of the nation. in practice for different religions
¾¾ Will also fulfil the provision of the Article 44 of the
Constitution which lays down, the State shall endeavour
to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout
the territory of India
¾¾ India being a secular nation needs a common law for all
citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious
practices that are prevalent in countries with a particular
state religion
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
¾¾ Will provide the government and also the religious ¾¾ Religious communities who are following their particular
communities the opportunity to overcome and rectify religious laws may feel alienated and threatened by
various discriminatory practices, prejudices and enforcing of Uniform Civil Code.
stereotypes within a particular religion that undermines ¾¾ Even within a religion there are different customary
the Constitutional right of citizens practices based on region/sect etc. and it will not go well
with these communities and their opposition may pose a
threat to law and order of the country

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Monthly Current Events Diary 77
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8
Committees
5
RU-56-02-0207-010223/FACTSHEET
Schemes
Graphs from PIB
Inclusive Development
Efficient Implementation of Schemes; Universalisation of Targeted Benefits
Source: SBM – Swachh Bharat Mission

PMUY – PM Ujjwala Yojana
• India Budget 2023-24 PMSBY – PM Suraksha Bima Yojana
PMJJBY – PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
AG/HP/MZ PM-KISAN – PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi
JJM – Jal Jeevan Mission
February 01, 2023





Acts
6
Bills and
Bills and Acts
Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill 2022
The RajyaSabha has recently passed the Wildlife (Protection) RajyaSabha passed the Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill which the
Amendment Bill, 2022 which makes changes in the Wildlife government said would provide an effective legal instrument to
(Protection) Act, 1972 and give effect to India’s obligations combat Maritime Piracy.
to the CITES. The Bill was earlier passed by the LokSabha on
August. Key Highlights:
Key Highlights: • It defines piracy as any illegal act of violence, detention,
or destruction committed against a ship, aircraft,
•
Insertion of a new schedule for specimens listed in the
person or property, for private purposes, by the crew
Appendices under the Convention on International
Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or passengers of a private ship or aircraft.
(CITES), a global agreement that requires countries to • The Bill provides for prevention of maritime piracy and
regulate listed specimens via permits. prosecution of persons for such piracy-related crimes.
• Amendment to Section 6 to set up a Standing • It will apply to all parts of the sea adjacent to and
Committee to exercise powers and duties that may be beyond the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone of
delegated to it by the State Board for Wildlife. India, i.e., beyond 200 nautical miles from the coastline.
• Amendment to Section 43 to allow elephants • The Bill brings into law the United Nations Convention
(protected under Schedule I) to be used for “religious on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
or other purposes” • The central government, in consultation with the Chief
• The Bill introduces Section 49E to empower the central Justice of the concerned High Court, may notify Sessions
government to set up a Management Authority to
Courts as the Designated Courts under this Bill.
grant permits for importing or exporting specimens.
This management authority can use an identification • An attempt to commit, aid, support, or counsel an
mark to recognize the traded specimen. Any changes act of piracy will be punishable with up to 14 years of
or removal of this identification is banned. imprisonment, and a fine.
• The newly introduced Section 49F empowers the
Central Government to designate a Scientific Authority New Delhi International Arbitration Centre
to advice on issues pertaining to the impact of trade on (Amendment) Bill, 2022
the species’ survival. Both Houses of Parliament passed the New Delhi International
Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The Indian Parliament has recently passed the Energy Key Highlights:
Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which amends the • The bill renames the New Delhi International Arbitration
Energy Conservation Act, 2001 and promote energy efficiency Centre as the India International Arbitration Centre.
and conservation in India. • The Act requires the Arbitration Centre to strive to
Key Highlights: facilitate the conduct of international and domestic
• Strengthening institutions set up originally under the arbitration and conciliation and the new legislation
Act, such as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. expands this to include the conduct of other forms of
• Facilitating the promotion of Green Hydrogen as an alternative dispute resolution.
alternative to the fossil fuels used by industries. • The bill will help India emerge as an attractive
• Including larger residential buildings under energy destination for arbitration at the global level.
conservation standards to promote sustainable • The manner of conduct of arbitration and other forms
habitats. of alternative dispute resolution will be specified by
• Defining the minimum share of renewable energy to the Central government through regulations.
be consumed by industrial units or any establishment. • The Bill also allows the government to provide for
• Incentivising efforts to use clean energy by issuing removing any difficulties in implementing the Act up to
carbon saving certificates.Considering additional five years from the date of commencement of the Act.
incentives like carbon credits for the use of clean
energy to lure the private sector to climate action.

14
Concept in
7
CONCEPTS IN NEWS
News
Gig Economy in India

What is the gig economy? • According to the report, women’s participation has increased
from 18% to 36%, a staggering doubling this year.
Despite its wide appeal and usage, the term "gig" is often used
• The report highlighted that the top recruiters for gigs are in
for a wide range of activities, from part-time jobs to "contract"
Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with Pondicherry, Mirzapur, Patna,
labour and on-demand manpower services.
Jabalpur and Kanpur heading for gig jobs, continued to
The gig economy has skyrocketed due to today's mobile maintain its growth momentum.
workforce. According to the report, India's workforce includes • Additionally, the majority of young people choosing gig job
15 million workers employed in industries such as general roles are found to belong to Tier 1 cities such as Bangalore,
services and professional services. Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai.
With the advent of technology platforms for gig work, more than What are the Growth Drivers of the Gig
200 million people worldwide are considered part of gig workforce.
Economy in India?
What facilities will be provided for these gig Rise of Internet and Mobile Technology: Widespread use of
workers? smartphones and high-speed Internet availability have made
• According to industry reports, the combined user base of it easier for workers and businesses to connect through online
digital gig workers, manual workers, and formal agency platforms, fuelling the growth of the gig economy.
workers is expected to exceed 200 million by 2029. Economic Liberalization: The economic liberalization policies of
• The gig economy has some obvious advantages, such as the government increased competition and opened up markets,
convenience, flexibility, higher flat rates, and increased which encouraged the growth of the gig economy.
efficiency, but measures to meet minimum wage Growing demand for flexible work: The gig economy is
requirements, worker protections, and consumer rights are particularly attractive to Indian workers looking for flexible work
also taught. arrangements that allow them to balance their personal and
professional lives.
What new labour laws will gig workers and Demographic Factors: The gig economy is also driven by a
platform workers bring? large and growing number of young, educated and ambitious
• The Center decided to consolidate various labour laws to Indians who are looking to improve their livelihoods through
form a new code that benefits all types of workers, including side income.
gig workers and platform workers. Growth of e-commerce: The rapid growth of e-commerce in
• Under the new law, these workers are eligible for social India has significantly increased the demand for delivery and
security benefits such as income and medical insurance. logistics services, which in turn has led to the growth of the gig
• For many years gig workers and platform workers belonging economy in these sectors.
to the unorganized sector of the workforce were not What are the issues with the gig economy in India?
officially defined by the government. These workers were Unemployment and Social Security: Many workers in India are
not paid wages and were deprived of benefits such as health not covered by labour laws and do not have access to benefits
insurance and provident funds. such as health insurance and pension plans.
• The new Code defines a gig worker, an employee who earns Digital Divide: The gig economy relies heavily on technology and
a living outside of the 'traditional employer-employee internet connectivity, creating a barrier for those without access
relationship'. This can be anyone from a freelance writer to a to these resources and further exacerbating income inequality.
driver who is temporarily affiliated with a service employer. Lack of Information: There is a lack of information and research
• Basically all workers working on online platforms like Ola, on the gig economy in India, making it difficult for policymakers
Uber, Zomato, Swiggy etc. to understand its size, scope and impact on the economy and
workforce.
Gig economy sees 8x growth between 2019 to Corporate exploitation: In India, gig workers are often paid less than
2022: Report traditional workers and may not have the same legal protections.
• According to a Taskmo report, gig worker participation Social Isolation: Gig workers may not have the same social
will triple in 2022 and employment demand will increase connections and support systems as traditional workers because
tenfold, as people increasingly make work-life balance and they often work independently and may not have a physical
flexibility a top priority. workplace.

Entry of foreign universities in India

Issues
Why in news?
• No matrix for being reputed in their respective countries
Recently UGC released draft guidelines for Foreign
which makes it a subjective issue
higher educational institutions (FHEI) to set up • In case of fee structure there is scope for intervention under
campuses in India. the garb of transparent and reasonable
• Time limit of 2 years for setting up campuses is restrictive
Which FHEIs can apply given the fact that infrastructure set up takes long time in
India.
FHEIs in the top 500 category (either subject wise or overall) in
• There is ample scope for UGC interference in name of
world rankings and those do not participate in world rankings
“national interest”
should be reputed in their countries.
• Only offline mode restricts the scope of currently prevalent
Regulations  “hybrid mode”
• Approval for only 10 years hampers the large scale investment
• Need to apply to UGC for approval to be taken in infrastructure for setting up campuses
• Need to set up campus within 2 years of approval. • There is apprehension for poaching of faculties from Indian
• Will get the initial approval for a period of 10 years. institutions
• All cross-border movement of funds, including through • India being a federal country, states have their own
repatriation, will be allowed regulations regarding land and infrastructure development
• Will be free to fix their fee and admission criteria but fee which complicates the process of setting up campuses
structure.
• Will have autonomy to recruit from India and abroad. What more can be done
Conditions imposed • Relaxing the strict timeline of 2 years to setup campuses as
infrastructure setup usually takes long time in India
• Repatriation of funds have to be in compliance of Foreign • Changing the approval for 10 years to automatic approval
Exchange Management Act, 1999 and have to submit an unless otherwise revoked by UGC at 10 years to attract large
annual report regarding the same to UGC scale investment needed for infrastructure
• Can operate only in offline mode • Arranging land at concessional rates as education is a public
• Fee structure should be transparent and reasonable good otherwise FHEIs would be recovering the cost through
• Shall not offer any programme which jeopardises India’s fees
national interest providing UGC with the ability to evaluate • Fee structure regulations should be concerned only with
the courses offered/levy fines, especially under the heads transparency thus limiting the UGC interference and letting
of “national interest of India” “public order”, “decency”, the market forces play their role
or “morality” or permitting students to address their • Better explanation and clarity on clause of national security
grievances to UGC. • Defining a matrix for what is a reputed institute


Updates
8
Monthly
Economy
India’s Unemployment Rate First Advance Estimates (FAE) of national income for the fiscal
year 2022–2023 at both constant (2011–12) and current prices
have been released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), a part
of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Key Points:
• These estimates, which are essential components of the
budgeting process, are created utilising the Benchmark-
Indicator Method based on limited data.
• In order to do this, key indicators that take into account the
performance of different sectors are used to expand the
estimates from the previous year.
• These sectors are Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Sector
wise estimates, Tax revenue and government spending, and
revision of estimates.
Startup India Innovation Week

According to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian
Economy (CMIE), India’s unemployment rate reached 8.30% in
December, the highest level in 16 months.
Key Points:
Top 5 States with Highest Unemployment Rates in December:
• Haryana: 37.4%
• Rajasthan: 28.5%
• Delhi: 20.8%
• Bihar: 19.1%
• Jharkhand: 18%
Top 5 States with Lowest Unemployment Rates in December:
• Odisha: 0.9% National Startup Day (16th January), Startup India Innovation
• Gujarat: 2.3% week culminated along with National Start up Awards 2022.
• Karnataka: 2.5%
• Meghalaya: 2.7% Key Points:
• Maharashtra: 3.1% • National Startup Awards 2022 given by Ministry of Commerce
NSO First Advance Estimates of National Incomea and Industry acknowledges startups and enablers who have
been instrumental in revolutionizing the development story
of India.
• Startup India organized industry-focused webinars on the
topic "Championing the billion-dollar dream".
• The Start-up ecosystem in India ranks third after that of the
United States (US) and China.
• According to the India Venture Capital Report 2021 published
by Bain and Company, the number of cumulative start-ups
has grown at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of
17% since 2012.

World Economic Situation and Prospects 2023 Key Points:

• India is to witness GDP growth of 6.0 per cent to 6.8 per cent
in 2023-24, depending on the trajectory of economic and
political developments globally.
• Economic survey 2022-23 projects a baseline GDP growth of
6.5 per cent in real terms in the Financial Year 2023-2024.
• Indian Economy is expected to grow at 7 per cent (in real
terms) for the year ending march 2023. This follows an 8.7
per cent growth in the previous financial year. So, the Indian
growth rate is decreasing. However, a similar or much worse
trend is there across the globe.
• Credit growth to the micro, small, and medium enterprises
(MSME) sector has been remarkably high, over 30.5 per
cent, on average during Jan-Nov 2022.
Recently, the United Nations has released a new report World Areas of concerns:
Economic Situation and Prospects 2023, which stated that the
• Fiscal Deficit: 6.4% of GDP
Global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is likely to drop to 1.9 % in
• CPI Inflation: 6.8%
2023 from 3 % in 2022.
• WPI Inflation: 11.5%
Key Points: • Dip in Foreign Exchange Reserves
• The world’s average inflation rate was at 9% in 2022, which • Dip in GDP growth rate
led to budgetary constraints in several developed as well as • Dip in Industrial growth rate
developing countries. Union Budget 2023-24
• Current downturn has slowed the pace of economic recovery
from the Covid-19 crisis, threatening several countries with 7 Priorities(Saptarishi) of Budget 2023
the prospects of recession in 2023.
1. Inclusive development
• Most developing countries have seen a slower job recovery
in 2022.
2. Reaching Last Mile
• China is projected to grow at 4.8 % in 2023 and 4.5 % in 3. Infrastructure and Investment
2024. 4. Unleashing Potential
• The US is estimated to register a 0.4 % economic growth this 5. Green Growth
year and 1.7 % in 2024. 6. Youth Power
• Growth in India is expected to remain strong at 5.8 %, albeit 7. Financial Sector
slightly lower than the estimated 6.4 % in 2022, as higher Inclusive De-
interest rates and a global slowdown weigh on investment velopment
and exports. Financial
Sector
Economic Survey 2023
Reaching
Last Mile
Youth Power
The
“Saptarishis”
Green
Infrastruc- Growth
ture and In-
vestment
Unleashing
Potential
Date: 1st February 2023
The Survey laid out the outlook for India’s growth, inflation and
unemployment in the coming years.

Rupee Comes From
Rupee Goes To

Receipts and Expenditures (Lakh Crore) • India continues to be on the path of fiscal consolidation
targeting to achieve 4.5 percent fiscal deficit of GDP by
2025-26.
• Hike in the capital expenditure (CapEx) by 33 percent to `10
lakh crore for infrastructure development for 2023-24 and
will be at 3.3 per cent of the GDP.
• India’s per capita income has increased to `1.97 lakh crore.
• PAN will be used as the common identifier for all digital
systems of specified government agencies and KYC process
will be simplified.
• Fifty-year interest free loan to States
• Set up of an entity DigiLocker for use by MSMEs, large
business and charitable trusts.
• 100 labs for developing applications using 5G services in
engineering institutions
• The Revised Estimate of the total receipts other than
borrowings is ` 24.3 lakh crore, of which the net tax receipts
are ` 20.9 lakh crore.
• The Revised Estimate of the total expenditure is ` 41.9 lakh
crore, of which the capital expenditure is about ` 7.3 lakh
crore
• Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) will be
established through use of Priority Sector Lending shortfall.
Budget Allocation for Major Ministries
Direct Tax Proposals

Personal income tax
Highlights • Reducing the number of slabs to five and Increasing the tax
• Indian economy has increased in size from being tenth to exemption limit to ₹3 Lakhs.
5th largest in the world in the last nine years. • Income tax rebate for individuals increased from ₹5 lakhs to
• Growth estimated at 7.0%, highest among all major ₹7 lakhs in the new tax regime.
economies.
• Fiscal deficit for FY 2023-24 estimated at 5.9%

The new tax rates are: • 63,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies being
computerized with investment of `2,516 crores; model
Income Tax rate
bylaws were formulated for PACS, national database is being
0-3 lakh Nil prepared, with this, massive decentralized storage capacity
3-6 lakh 5% to be set up.
6-9 lakh 10% • This will help farmers store their produce and realize better
9-12 lakh 15% prices for their produce, Govt. will facilitate setting up of
12-15 lakh 20% larger number of cooperative societies, primary fishery
Above 15 lakh 30% societies and dairy cooperative societies in uncovered
villages in next 5 years.
• Each salaried person with an income of
• To make India a global hub for Millets-’Shree Anna’, the
`15.5 lakh or more will thus stand to benefit by ` 52,500.
Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be
• Proposal to cap deduction from capital gains on investment
supported as the Centre of Excellence.
in residential house under sections 54 and 54F to ` 10 crore.
• Plan to spend `2200 crore for high-value horticulture
• Proposal with similar intent is to limit income tax exemption
• Set up of Agriculture Accelerator Fund to encourage agri
from proceeds of insurance policies with very high value.
startups by young entrepreneurs in rural areas.
• Proposal to reduce the highest surcharge from 37% to 25%
in the new tax regime, max rate of 39%. Tourism
• Maximum Deposit Limit for Senior Citizen saving scheme to
• Promotion of tourism will be taken up in mission mode, with
be increased from `15 to 30 lakhs
active participation of states and PPPs.
• For MSME sector enhanced limits of `3 crore and 75 lakh
respectively, to the tax payers whose cash receipts are no Health Sector
more than 5 per cent.
• Proposal to allow deduction for expenditure incurred on • Sickle cell anaemia to be eliminated by 2047.
payments made to them only when payment is actually • 157 new nursing colleges in co-location with the existing 157
made medical colleges established since 2014.
• A new programme to promote research and innovation in
Indirect Tax Proposals pharmaceuticals through Centers of Excellence.
• Dedicated multidisciplinary courses for medical devices
• Number of basic custom duty rates on goods other than
in existing institutions to ensure availability of skilled
textiles and agriculture reduced from 21 to 13
manpower for futuristic medical technologies, high-end
• Proposal to exempt excise duty on GST-paid compressed bio
manufacturing and research.
gas contained in it.
• Relief in customs duty on import of certain parts and inputs Welfare Schemes/Social Sector/ Poverty
like camera lens and continuation the concessional duty on
lithium-ion cells for batteries for another year
Alleviation
• Entire expenditure of about `2 lakh crore under PM
Defence Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is being borne by the central
• Defence budget increased to `5.94 lakh crore for 2023-24 government, for supplying free food grains for one year to
from last year’s allocation of `5.25 lakh crore. It includes all Antyodaya and priroity households.
purchasing new weapons, aircraft, warships and other • The outlay for PM Awas Yojana has been hiked by 66 per
military hardware cent to ₹79,000 cr for FY 2023-24
• PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 to provide skill training to the
Railway youth for the next three years.
• Pradhan Mantri Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PM-
• Capital outlay of ₹2.4 lakh crore has been provided for
PVTG) Development Mission to be launched to improve
Railways, the highest-ever allocation since 2013-14.
conditions of vulnerable tribal groups.
• The railways will also witness more private investment in • The Mission will saturate these families with basic facilities
the infrastructure sector. such as safe housing, clean drinking water, improved access
• The newly established Infrastructure Finance Secretariat to education, health, nutrition and sustainable livelihood
will assist all stakeholders including railways, roads, urban opportunities.
infrastructure, and power, which are predominantly • All cities and towns will be enabled for 100% mechanical
dependent on public resources. de-sludging of septics tanks and sewers to transition from
manhole to machine hole mode.
Agriculture • New small savings scheme has been announced for women
• Agriculture Credit Target to be increased to ₹20 lakh crores, - Mahila Samman Savings Certificate for 2 years up to March
with focus on animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries. A new 2025.
sub-scheme of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana will also be • Phase-3 of the E-Courts project will be launched with an
launched with a targeted investment of `6000 crores. outlay of ` 7,000 crore
Disaster Response • Set up of a National Digital Library for children and

adolescents for facilitating availability of quality books
• Centre to provide ₹5,300 cr assistance to drought-prone
region of Karnataka Environment
Transport/Communication • PM-PRANAM to incentivise states for promoting alternative
fertilisers
• 50 additional airports, heliports, water aero dromes, • To provide impetus to green mobility, customs duty exemption
advanced landing grounds will be revived to improve extended to import of capital goods and machinery required
regional air connectivity. for manufacture of lithium-ion cells for batteries used in
Education electric vehicles
• Indian Railways has set a target to achieve Net Zero Carbon
• Three Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Emitter by 2030.
will be set up in top educational institutions for realising the • `35,000 crore for priority capital investments towards energy
vision of Make AI in India and Make AI work for India. transition and net zero objectives, and energy security by
• In the next 3 years the Centre will recruit 38,800 teachers Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
and support staff for 740 Eklavaya Model Residential Schools
serving 3.5 lakh tribal students.
Trend of Major Items of Expenditure (`Lakh Crore)

Updates
Polity
Monthly
High powered committee for Ladakh Prime Minister of India recently launched the Aspirational Block
Programme (ABP), which is aimed at improving performance of
blocks lagging on various development parameters.
Key Points:
• Nirmala Sitharaman, the finance minister, announced the
ABP as an expansion of the Aspirational District Program
during her statement on the 2022–2023 budgets.
• The Aspirational Block Program (ABP) will extend the
aspirational district model to the block level and promote
holistic development in those areas that need extra support.
• Initial implementation of the programme would cover 500
districts across 31 states and UTs, with more than half of
Recently a high-powered committee has been formed in the
Union Territory of Ladakh. those blocks located in just 6 states Uttar Pradesh (68
blocks), Bihar (61), Madhya Pradesh (42), Jharkhand (34),
Key facts: Odisha (29) and West Bengal (29).
• There has been increasing demand for the inclusion of
Ladakh under the 6th schedule of the Constitution.
Caste-based Census
• Civil society groups in Ladakh have been demanding the
protection of land, resources and employment for the past
three years after the special status of the erstwhile State of
Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.
• The committee will discuss measures to protect the region’s
unique culture and language taking into consideration its
geographical location and strategic importance; ensure the
protection of land and employment for the people of Ladakh;
strategies for inclusive development and discuss issues
related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous
Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil.
Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)

Supreme Court declines to entertain petitions against caste-
based census in Bihar.
Key Points:
• The Bihar government recently launched the caste survey,
which aims to digitally collect data on each family from the
panchayat to the district level via a mobile application.
• However, petitions were filed to overturn the notification,
claiming that the caste-based census "violated the basic
structure of the Constitution."

India assumes Chairmanship of Wassenaar Key facts:

Arrangement • This is the result of the elections during the 13th APPU
Congress held in August-September 2022.
• There are 32 members in this international organisation
from the Asia-Pacific.
• It is a specific department inside the UN. The sole Restricted
Union of the Universal Postal in the area is this one.
• The Asia Pacific Postal Union’s headquarters are in Bangkok,
Thailand.
• It was formed by International treaty through an Asian-
Pacific Postal Convention signed in Yogyakarta on 27 March
1981.
• The organisation has origins dating back to 1961.
The new delimitation exercise by Assam

The Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), a voluntary export control
regime that monitors the transfer of conventional weapons
and dual-use goods, has announced that India will assume the
chairmanship of its plenary for the next year.
Key facts:
• The 26th annual plenary of the WA, held in Vienna on
November 30 and December 1, saw Ireland’s ambassador Eoin
O’Leary hand over the chairmanship to India’s ambassador
Jaideep Mazumdar, the permanent representative to the
UN and international organizations in Vienna.
• India joined the WA in December 2017 as its 42nd
participating state. Assam has re-merged four districts with the ones they were
• The Wassenaar Arrangement is a multilateral export control carved out after the Election Commission of India (ECI) notified
regime that promotes transparency and responsibility in the initiation of the delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary
the transfer of conventional arms and dual-use goods and constituencies in the State.
technologies through regular exchanges of information
among its members. Key facts:
• The regime aims to track such transfers and prevent • Delimitation panels were set up thrice (1952, 1962 and
“destabilizing accumulations” of conventional arms and 1972) regularly before the exercise was suspended in 1976
dual-use goods. in view of the family planning programmes in the States.
• The WA operates on a consensus basis and its plenary is the • The last Commission was set up in 2002, but before its
main decision-making body. exercise was completed in 2008, the delimitation was put
India takes over leadership of the Asian Pacific on hold.
Postal Union • Several political parties were opposed to delimitation in
2008 as they wanted it to be done only after the updating of
the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to weed out “illegal
immigrants.
India has taken over the leadership of the Asia Pacific Postal
Union (APPU) in January 2023. Dr Vinaya Prakash Singh will take
over the charge of Secretary General of the Union for tenure of
4 years.

Parakram Diwas 2023 Disclosure of Journalistic Sources
Delhi court stated that there is no statutory exemption in India

to journalists from disclosing their sources to investigating
agencies.
Key Points:
ParakramDiwas (23rd January) 2023, 21 unnamed islands • Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees the right to
of Andaman and Nicobar have been named after Param Veer freedom of speech and expression to all citizens.
Chakra awardees. • Investigative agencies can issue notices to anyone, including
Key Point: journalists, to provide information.
• Like any citizen, a journalist can be compelled to give
• ParamVir Chakra is India’s highest military decoration evidence in Court. If she does not comply, the journalist can
awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during face charges of Contempt of Court.
wartime whether on land, at sea or in the air. • United Kingdom: The Contempt of Courts Act 1981 creates
• The islands have been named after Major Somnath Sharma, a presumption in favour of journalists who want to protect
Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, the identity of their sources. However, that right is subject
NayakJadunath Singh, etc. to certain conditions in the “interest of justice”.
· It aims to pay tribute to Indian heroes, several of
whom had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the
sovereignty and integrity of India.

26
Updates
International Affairs
Monthly
India & UK-Young Professionals Scheme India hosted the Voice of Global South Summit 2023 virtually
under the leadership of PM Modi. Voice of Global South Summit
2023 was held under the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of
Purpose”
Key Points:
• More than 120 countries have participates in Voice of Global
South Summit 2023
• During the session India called for:
♦♦ A ‘Global agenda to Re-energize the world’
♦♦ A ‘Global South Sensitive’ model of globalization with
fundamentals shifts for it:
¾¾ Globalization.
¾¾ Innovation and Technology.
¾¾ Development Cooperation
Davos Summit 2023: WEF
The governments of India and the UK marked Pravasi Bharatiya

Divas on January 9, 2023 by launching the Young Professionals
Scheme.
Key Points:
• This Scheme will allow up to 3,000 degree-holding citizens
aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in each other’s
countries for a period of two years. The 53rd edition of the annual World Economic Forum summit
• The scheme, which was announced in November at the G20 was held in Davos, Switzerland.
summit in Bali, is part of the India-UK Migration and Mobility Theme: Cooperation in a Fragmented World.
Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2021.
Key Points:
The voice of global south summit 2023 • A new Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate launched,
bringing together over 50 countries to boost international
cooperation on climate, trade and sustainable development.
• Stakeholders across the world stressed the value of free
trade.
• The Chief Economist's Outlook was launched, which struck a
cautious tone, with two-thirds of those surveyed expecting
a global recession this year 2023.

New Dam in Tibet by China Key Points:

• The development comes in the wake of China unveiling
plans in 2021 to build a massive dam on the lower reaches
of Yarlung Zangbo to generate up to 70 GW of power, three
times that of the country’s Three Gorges dam, which is
the world’s largest hydropower plant in terms of installed
capacity.
• The new dam is located around 16 km north of the tri-
junction and is opposite the Kalapani area of Uttarakhand.
• The dam is on the MabjaZangboriver, a tributary of the
Ganga.
• Construction activity on the dam has been observed on the
northern side of the river in Burangcounty, Tibet since May
2021.
• Concerns about the dam: China’s dominance over Water;
China is constructing a new dam on the Mabja Zangbo river in Likelihood of Military; establishment by China; Water
Tibet, close to the tri-junction of India, Nepal and Tibet. Scarcity in India; Reinforce Chinese Claims over disputed
region, etc.
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Monthly Current Events Diary
Updates
Monthly
Defence
Indian female peacekeepers • The task of developing this technology is one of 75 challenges
introduced by the Indian Navy as part of the "Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav" celebrations.
• Sagar Defence Engineering has stated that it possesses
the know-how to develop India’s first armed autonomous
unmanned boat with swarming capabilities.
VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system
India is set to deploy a platoon of female peacekeepers to the

United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) on the
border of Sudan and South Sudan.
Key Points:
• This is the largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a UN
mission since India deployed the first all-female contingent
in Liberia in 2007.
• The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)
was created by the United Nations Security Council in 2011 The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of
to address the critical situation in the Abyei region of Sudan. Need (AoN) to purchase the VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system.
• India is one of the largest contributors of troops to UN Key Points:
peacekeeping missions and this deployment marks a
• Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and
significant increase in the proportion of women in its
developed indigenously by DRDO.
peacekeeping contingents.
• Is meant for target low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
Indian Navy ‘SPRINT’ initiative • Is lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles.
Indo-Egypt Joint Training Exercise Cyclone-I
Indian and the Egyptian Armies are to conduct the first-ever

As part of the "SPRINT" initiative, the Indian Navy recently joint exercise Cyclone-I. It is to be held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
announced collaboration with Sagar Defence Engineering for 14 days.
Private Limited to develop armed autonomous boat swarms. Key Points:
Key Points: • It will focus on skills necessary to fight in desert terrain
undertaking reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and other
• SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through special operations.
Innovations for Defence Excellence) launched by PM Modi • 30-40 Special Forces are participating in the exercise.
aims to promote the development and usage of indigenous • The armies will engage in combat and receive training in
defence technologies by domestic companies. sniping, surveillance, free fall, etc.

Updates
Monthly
Science & Technology
E-sports gets recognition
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates National Genome

Editing & Training Centre (NGETC) at Mohali, Punjab.
E sports received a huge boost from the Indian government. It Key Points:
is incorporated into the nation's mainstream sports disciplines. • This will serve as a national platform to cater to the regional
needs to adapt different genome editing methods, including
Key Points: CRISPR-Cas mediated genome modification.
• The Indian Esports Industry has fought to separate Esports • Genome editing could be a promising technology that
from the broader category of “Gaming.”. Indian research could adapt to offer the desired tailor-made
• Esports (Electronic Sports) is a competitive sport where traits in crops.
gamers use their physical and mental abilities to compete in • It will also empower young researchers by providing
various games in a virtual, electronic environment. them with training and guidance about its know-how and
• Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, amended the application in crops.
regulations governing eSports in accordance with the
authority “conferred by clause (3) of article 77 of the
New Technology to filter micro-plastics from
Constitution” and requested that “e-Sports be included Water
as part of multi-sports events” from the Ministries of
Electronics and Information Technology and Sports.
• In a significant development, the Indian government has
recognised “E-Sports” (Electronic Sports) as a component of
multi-sport competitions.
• E-sports after being added to the 2018 Asian Games in
Jakarta as a demonstration sport, which meant that medals
earned in the sport were not included in the official total of
medals.
National Genome Editing & Training Centre

(NGETC)
South Korean scientists have created a new water filtration
device that can efficiently remove micro plastics from water in
just 10 seconds.

Key Points: Start-up firm IG Drones, which was born out of Veer SurendraSai
• The system uses a polymer that is relatively inexpensive University of Technology (VSSUT) campus in Odisha’s Sambalpur
and has excellent adsorption performance and good photo has developed a 5G-enabled drone that is capable of vertical
thermal properties. take-off and landing.
• This technology requires a low level of energy which makes Key Points:
it suitable for solar-based energy.
• Skyhawk drone can carry a 10 kg payload and has an
• The new water purification system has several benefits over
endurance of around five hours.
traditional carbon-based filters.
• Skyhawk has been developed keeping in mind the needs of
Skyhawk: India’s first 5G enabled drone defence and medical sectors.
• As it’s a VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing), it can be
operated from any terrain without the need of a conventional
runway.

Updates
Railways
Monthly
Indian Railways set to become world’s largest Indian Railways records jump of 71% in
‘Green Railways’ by 2030 earnings from passenger trains
According to a statement released by the Railway Ministry,

Indian Railways is working on an ambitious plan of electrification the total number of passengers who took the Railways during
of its entire Broad Gauge network. the period grew by 6.35 per cent to 59.61 crores, the Indian
Key Points: Railways said in a statement.
• The Indian Railways has set a target to become world’s Key Points:
largest ‘Green Railways’ with Zero Carbon Emission by 2030.
• The Indian Railways’ approximate earnings from passenger
• More than 32,000 Route Kilometers (RKMs) have been
trains during the nine-month financial period that ended in
electrified in the last eight years (since 2014).
December 2022 were at Rs 48,913 crores.
• In 2020-21, the electrification of 6,015 RKMs was achieved.
• This is 71 per cent higher than the previous year’s total of Rs
• In a bid to reduce the dependency on petroleum- based
28,569 crores during the same period.
energy resources, and with an aim to become pollution
• According to a statement released by the Railway Ministry,
free and energy efficient, the Railways has extended its
the total number of passengers who took the Railways
electrified network to 83 per cent.
during the period grew by 6.35 per cent to 59.61 crores, the
• More than 32,000 Route Kilometers (RKMs) have been
Indian Railways said in a statement.
electrified in the last eight years (since 2014).
• The number of reserved bookings also increased by 6.35 per
cent to 56.05 crores.

34
Updates
Agriculture
Monthly
‘North East Krishi Kumbha-2023’ Mobile Veterinary Units and Call Centres
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Narendra

Singh Tomar inaugurated the three-day 'North East Krishi
Kumbhar-2023'.
Key facts:
• Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Narendra
Singh Tomar inaugurated the three-day ‘North East Krishi
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying
Kumbhar-2023’ and took part in the 49th Foundation Day Parshottam Rupala inaugurated 29 Mobile Veterinary Units
celebration of the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, (MVU) and a Centralized call center in Thiruvananthapuram.
Umiam.
• The Minister inaugurated the administrative cum academic Key facts:
block office and Girl’s Hostel of the College of Agriculture at • The inaugural event was felicitated by Minister of State for
Kyrdemkulai, Ri Bhoi district. External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan,
• A contingent of 26 persons comprising farmers adopted by Kerala, Ministry of Animal Husbandry Mrs. J Chinchu Rani,
ICAR local entrepreneurs, members of the Agri-business Binoy Viswam MP.
Incubation Centre, and representatives of farmers’ producer • The Minister noted that the scheme is promising and will
transform the dairy sector from a subsistence-based farm
organization from various districts of the stage bound for
livelihood to a commercially viable enterprise by giving
‘North East Krishi Kumbha 2023 was flagged off.
gainful employment to the youth of Kerala.
• The team will participate and showcase different types • These MVUs will be operated through a centralized call
of indigenous Agri products like Chakhao, Kachai Lemon, center with a uniform helpline No. 1962.
Tamenglong Orange, Sirarakhong, Chilli, King Chilli, and • It will transmit them to the nearest MVU for attending at the
processed products including value-added products. farmer’s doorstep.
• Kerala is deploying 50 MVUs in different districts.

Garrarnawun Bush Tomato Drones to farmers
A new species of bush tomato, christened Garrarnawun bush

tomato (Solanumscalarium), was discovered in Australia The Rajasthan Government is to provide drones to the farmers
recently. in the state to spray fertilizers and insecticides. The drones are
Key Points: to be provided to low-income group farmers and on rent.
• The Garrarnawunbush tomato (Solanumscalarium) is Key Points:
currently found only in one site in world i.e., the Judbarra/
• Around 1500 drones will be made available to the farmers
Gregory National Park in the Australia’s Northern Territory.
to achieve this plan.
• It is a perennial pale green shrub that is around 30 cm tall. • The State Government is launching this initiative to save
• This species belongs to the taxonomically challenging group water.
called Kimberley dioecious clade in Australia. • Most of Rajasthan is desert and using drones will save 80%
• Scientists are proposing to include in the “data deficit” of water.
category of the IUCN Red List.
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Updates
Banking
Monthly
Co-Branded Credit Cards BharatPe gets ePayment Aggregator Licence
Public sector bank Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) has partnered Fintech unicorn BharatPe has received in principle approval
with SBI Card to launch co-brand credit cards for the bank’s from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as an online payment
customers. aggregator.
Key facts: Key Points:

• PSB has also entered the credit card market as a new product • Several fintech firms like Razor pay, Pine Labs, Open, Cash
segment in its portfolio as a result of this collaboration. free, and 1Pay have already received approval from the RBI
• Three card variants—the PSB SBI Card ELITE, PSB SBI Card for a Payment Aggregator license.
PRIME, and PSB SimplySAVE SBI Card—have been launched • Payment aggregators are entities that facilitate e-commerce
by both partners. sites and merchants to accept various payment instruments
• The joining price for the PSB SBI Card ELITE is Rs 4,999 plus from customers.
taxes, the PSB SBI Card PRIME is Rs 2,999 plus taxes, and the • They do not require merchants to create a separate payment
PSB SimplySAVE SBI Card is Rs 499 plus taxes.
integration system of their own.
• The PSB SBI Cards ELITE and PRIME will be offered on the
VISA platform, while the PSB SimplySAVE SBI Card will be
offered on the RuPay network.

38
Updates
Environment
Monthly
Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano According to a study, the endangered Asian Elephant has lost
most of its optimal habitat, the flat terrain in Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve.
Key facts:
• Western Ghats (WG) is an escarpment running north–south
along the western coastline of India.
• The WG is interrupted towards the south by the low-lying
Palghat Gap that separates the northern from the southern
elephant populations.
• The northern part of the WG includes Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve(NBR) and its surrounding PAs (protected areas)
which contain the largest remaining population of wild
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, one of the world’s most active, elephants.
erupted again on January 5th, 2022, releasing lava fountains • Earlier, the Palghat gap was relatively flat and consequently
and discharges of volcanic ash into the air. easily negotiable by elephants to move from North to South.
Key facts: • However, now human settlements and crop cultivation have
hindered the movement of the elephants, keeping them
• The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected a glow in confined to the hilly areas considered suboptimal habitats.
webcam images indicating Kilauea had begun erupting
inside Halemaumau crater at the volcano’s summit caldera. Lost wetlands in India
• There is generally a three-month cooling off period before
scientists consider an eruption to be complete.
• It is currently unclear why both Kilauea and Mauna Loa
ceased erupting at around the same time in December 2021.
• The Kilauea volcano is the most active of the five volcanoes
that make up the Island of Hawaii. It is a shield volcano,
which is a type of volcano composed of fluid lava and
characterized by its vast lava flow.
• This is not the first time Kilauea has erupted in recent years.
• It last erupted for 16 months starting in September 2021, India lost 2 out of 5 wetlands in last 3 decades, says Wetland
and for about two weeks in November 2021, Hawaii had two International.
volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, spewing lava side by side. Key Points:
Asian elephant lost its optimal habitat • Wetland is the transition between land and aquatic
ecosystem.
• Water bodies have lost quality for aquatic animals Approx.
(40%).
• Reasons: infrastructure development, housing plans,
exploitation of water without resource, encroachment,
water pollution (eutrophication, Algae burst etc.
State of India Dams

Over 60 residents who were living in untenable homes in the

sinking town of Joshimath were moved to temporary relief
centres after the town was declared a landslide-subsidence
Around 3,700 dams in India will lose 26 per cent of their total
storage by 2050 due to accumulation of sediments. zone.
Key Points: Key Points:

• The study by the United Nations University Institute on • Joshimath is a hilly town located on the Rishikesh-Badrinath
Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), also known National Highway (NH-7) in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
as the UN's think tank on water. • The town (fall in high-risk seismic Zone-V) is traversed by
• The Central Water Commission (CWC), had in 2015, reported running streams with a high gradient from Vishnuprayag, a
that among 141 large reservoirs which are over 50-years- confluence of the Dhauliganga and the Alaknanda rivers.
old, one quarter had lost at least 30 per cent of their initial • Joshimath is also of great strategic importance to the
storage capacity. Indian armed forces and is home to one of the Army's most
important cantonments.
Ozone layer recovery is on track Bomb Cyclone hits US
The ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades,

with the global phaseout of ozone-depleting chemicals already Bomb Cyclone has thrashed US and Canada with extreme
benefitting efforts to mitigate climate change. climate and has trapped the residents inside their houses with
Key Points: snow and power outages.
Steps taken: Key Highlights:

• 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone • Bomb Cyclone is created when the air of different masses
Layer provided a framework for international cooperation. whether cold or dry comes together. The warm air rises and
• The Montreal Protocol (1987) is a worldwide agreement to makes a cloud system which lowers the air pressure.
stop the production of substances causing ozone-depletion. • Bomb Cyclone has thrashed US and Canada with extreme
• Kigali Amendment to the Protocol climate and has trapped the residents inside their houses
with snow and power outages.
Joshimath Sinking
• Due to the bomb cyclone more than lakh people are
affected in the US. People are experiencing blackouts and
power outages. The US is also experiencing live loss due to
the Bomb Cyclone.

Antarctica's Biodiversity at Risk Impacts of Europe’s Extreme Winter Heat Wave
Antarctica's Biodiversity new research has indicated that more New satellite imagery reveals the effect of Europe's 'winter
has to be done to safeguard Antarctic ecosystems, up to 97% of heatwave' in the thick of the continent's winter skiing season
Antarctica's biodiversity might go extinct by the year 2100.
Key facts:
Key Highlights: • New satellite imagery reveals the effect of Europe’s ‘winter
• Antarctica’s Biodiversity comprises Numerous heatwave’ in the thick of the continent’s winter skiing
microorganisms, tough invertebrates, two flowering plants, season.
hardy moss and lichens, two flowering plants, and hundreds • In Altdorf, the temperature reached 66.5°F (19.2°C) on New
of thousands of nesting seabirds, including emperor and Year’s Day and did not fall below 60.9°F (16.1°C) during the
Adélie penguins, make up the species. night, breaking a previous record set in 1864.
• The distinctive plant and animal species of Antarctica are • Warsaw in Poland also hit 66°F (18.9°C), smashing its own
most at risk from climate change, according to our research. January record by over 9°F (5°C).
• It is expected that Antarctica’s ice-free areas would grow • The new satellite image was captured by Sentinel 2, one
as global warming becomes worse, drastically altering the of the Earth observation satellites, that makes up the
wildlife habitat. Copernicus Programme.
• 37% of the Antarctica’s Emperor Penguin’ populations • According to the programme, 2023 has started with ‘a
would, at best, decline. By 2100, 65% of the plants and historic heatwave‘affecting Europe, with many countries
animals on the continent are expected to disappear. observing the warmest temperature on record for January
1, potentially due to human-caused climate change.

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42
Updates
Space
Monthly
Shukrayaan I The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

and the French space agency Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales
(CNES) have jointly launched the SWOT spacecraft.
Key Points:
• The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission
is a satellite altimeter jointly developed and operated by
NASA and CNES (French space agency) in partnership with
the space agency's of the UK and Canada.
• The mission’s objective is to make the world’s first-ever global
survey of the Earth’s surface water, capable of observing the
finer details of the ocean surface topography and measuring
the changes in the terrestrial surface water bodies.
• The satellite can measure the height of water in freshwater
bodies and the ocean on more than 90 percent of the Earth’s
Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Venus mission, surface.
Shukrayaan I may be postponed to 2031. ISRO’s Venus mission • The information obtained from this mission can be used to
was expected to be launched in December 2024. understand the ocean’s influence in climate change, impact
of global warming on the waterbodies, and the preparedness
Key Facts: of communities for disasters like floods and droughts.
• Shukrayaan I will be an Orbiter Mission. Its scientific payloads
currently include a high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar Second Earth-sized, rocky planet
(SAR) and a ground-penetrating radar.
• The mission is expected to study Venus’s geological and
volcanic activity, emissions on the ground, wind speed,
cloud cover, and other planetary characteristics from an
elliptical orbit.
• Shukrayaan-I will be launched on either GSLV Mk II or GSLV
Mk III, the latter allows more instruments or fuel to be
carried, according to ISRO.
Nasa launches International 'SWOT' Mission
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission

has discovered a second Earth-sized, rocky planet within the
habitable zone of its star – the range of distances where liquid
water could occur on a planet’s surface.
Key Points:
• The planet, TOI 700 e, is one of only a few known systems
with multiple small, habitable-zone planets.
• The discovery was made by a team led by Emily Gilbert, a
postdoctoral fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in
Southern California.
• Astronomers have previously discovered three planets in
the TOI 700 system, named TOI 700 b, c, and d.

Quality Book of
CAPF
Assistant Monthly Current Events Diary 43
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India’s First Solar Mission Visible Line Emission Coronagraph (VLEC), the primary payload
on board Aditya-L1, was handed over to Indian Space Research
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Exam Key Points:
• Aditya L1 will study the Sun’s corona, Sun's photosphere,
Book include chromosphere, solar emissions, solar winds and flares, and
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and will carry out round-
Paper I : General Studeis, the-clock imaging of the Sun.
• The mission will be launched by ISRO to the L1 orbit which
Mental Ability Test is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. The orbit allows
Paper II : Essay, Aditya-L1 to look at the Sun continuously.
• Aditya L1 will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch
Report, Précis writing, Vehicle (PSLV) with 7 payloads (instruments) on board.
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44
Updates
Appointments/
Monthly
Resignations
NATIONAL
Ajay Kumar Srivastava Key Points:

• The Air Marshal is a graduate of National Defence Academy,
Pune and was commissioned into the IAF as a fighter pilot
in Jun 1985.
• The Air Officer is a recipient of ‘VishistSeva Medal’ and
‘AtiVishistSeva Medal.
• Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha succeeds Air Marshal S
Prabhakaran
Ganji Kamala V Rao
WHY IN NEWS: Ajay Kumar Srivastava has been promoted to

managing director and CEO of the public sector Indian Overseas
Bank.
Key Highlights:
• Srivastava was the bank's executive director before assuming WHY IN NEWS: IAS officer Ganji Kamala V Rao has been
the new position. appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Food Safety and
• Srivastava commenced his banking career as a probationary Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
officer in Allahabad Bank in 1991. Key Points:
• He joined Indian Overseas Bank in October 2017.
• He was posted as managing director of India Tourism
Pankaj Mohan Sinha Development Corporation Ltd.
• Ganji Kamala V Rao IAS is a Kerala cadre officer batch of the
1990 batch.
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is
a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
Praveen Kumar Srivastava
WHY IN NEWS: Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha assumed

command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command
(Delhi) on 01 January 2023.

WHY IN NEWS: Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar WHY IN NEWS: RBI has approved the appointment of veteran
Srivastava has been appointed as the acting Central Vigilance banker Surinder Chawla as the new Managing Director (MD)
Commissioner (CVC). and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Paytm Payments Bank.
Key Points: Key Highlights:
• His appointment comes after Suresh N. Patel completed his • Chawla will take charge of Paytm Payment Bank for tenure
term as the chief of the anti-corruption watchdog Central of 3 years.
Vigilance Commission in December. • Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Chairman of Paytm Payments Bank
• A CVC and vigilance commissioner's term is four years or Board.
until the incumbent reaches the age of 65. • The merit-listed Chartered Accountant Chawla previously
• The commission is headed by a CVC and can have a maximum worked at RBL Bank as the Head of Accounting.
of two Vigilance Commissioners. • Chawla spent about 12 years in key senior management
• The commission was set up on the recommendation of K. positions at HDFC Bank.
Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption. • Paytm Payments Bank has the largest scale in India, in terms
of mobile transactions.
Justice (retd) Rajeev Shrivastava • The bank is the largest UPI beneficiary bank.
Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh
WHY IN NEWS: Rajeev Shrivastava, a retired High Court judge,

has been appointed as the new head of the Delhi Electricity
Regulatory Commission (DERC).
Key Highlights: WHY IN NEWS: Retired director general of the Border Security
• Delhi government approves appointment of Justice (retd) Force (BSF), Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh, was recently appointed
Rajeev Shrivastava as next Chairman of DERC. as the Deputy National Security Adviser in National Security
• Justice (retd) ShabihulHasnain, who just retired from the Council Secretariat for a period of two years.
position of DERC chairman, is succeeded by Justice (retd)
Key Points:
Shrivastava.
• Pankaj Kumar Singh, an IPS officer from the Rajasthan cadre
Surinder Chawla of 1988 batch, has an MBA from the Indian Institute of
Management (IIM) Ahmedabad in addition to his LLB and
MPhil degrees.
• Singh had served with the Union government as Inspector
General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in
Chhattisgarh and IG (Operations) at CRPF headquarters in
Delhi.
• Singh retired as the BSF chief on December 31, 2022.

46
Updates
Ranks and Reports

Monthly
Henley Passport Index The richest 1% of people in India now own more than 40% of the
country’s total wealth, while the bottom half of the population
together share just 3% of wealth,according to a new study by
Oxfam International.
Key Points:
• On the first day of the World Economic Forum Annual
Meeting, the study, titled "Survival of the Richest," was
released.
• The report also highlights the impact of gender inequality
on earnings.
• If India’s billionaires were taxed once at 2% on their entire
wealth, it would support the requirement of Rs 40,423 crore
for the nutrition of malnourished in the country for the next
three years.
2023 Henley Passport Index is out for the year, with Japan
Global Risks Report 2023
grabbing the first spot for the fifth year in a row.
Key Points:
• The passport index has ranked India at the 85th position,
meaning that Indian passport holders can access 59
countries without needing a visa.
• India has climbed up in the ranking by two positions from
the past year, when it was at the 87th position.
• The Henley Passport Index is prepared by London-based
Henley and Partners, a global citizenship and residence
advisory firm.
• Top countries - 2) Singapore/South Korea ,3) Germany/ The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the 18th Edition
Spain,4) Finland/Italy/Luxembourg ,and of Global Risks Report 2023
• Afghanistan at bottom.
Key Points:
Oxfam’s “Survival of the Richest” Report • It seeks that the world be prepared for ‘Natural disasters
and extreme weather events’ in the next two years.
• Emission trajectories make it very unlikely that global
ambitions to limit warming to 1.5°C will be achieved.
• 70% of the respondents in the WEF report said existing
measures to prevent or prepare for climate change have
been “ineffective” or “highly ineffective”

UN World Social Report 2023 CII Business Confidence Index (for Oct-Dec 2022
quarter) rebounded to its highest reading in almost 2 years of
67.6 (from 62.2 in the previous quarter), reflecting optimism
around India being in a safe spot despite the rising global
economic uncertainties.
Key points:
• CII (Confederation of Indian Industries) is a non-
governmental, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-
managed organization. It was founded in 1895 and is
headquartered in New Delhi.
Survival of the Richest Report: The India Story
United Nations (UN) World Social Report 2023: Leaving no one

behind in an ageing world, the number of persons aged 65 years
or older worldwide is expected to double over the next three
decades.
Key Points:
• North Africa, West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are expected
to experience the fastest growth in the number of older
people over the next three decades.
• According to the National Commission on Population, the
Oxfam’s Report “Survival of the Richest: The India
share of the elderly in India’s population, close to 9% in
story”, the richest 1% in India now own more than 40% of
2011, is growing fast and may reach 18% by 2036.
the country’s total wealth, while the bottom half of the
• Life expectancy in India has more than doubled since
Independence from around 32 years in the late 1940s to 70 population together share just 3% of wealth between 2012 and
years or so today. 2021.
Business Confidence Index Key Points:

• Gender Inequality: The report also highlighted gender
inequality in India, stating that female workers earned
only 63 Paise for every 1 rupee earned by male workers.
• Social Inequality:Oxfam India stated that the country's
marginalized communities such as Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims,
Women, and informal sector workers are continuing to
suffer in a system that prioritizes the survival of the richest.

48

Updates
AWARDS & HONOURS
Monthly
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023 The jury that selected the recipients comprised Vice-President
Jagdeep Dhankhar as its chairman and External Affairs Minister
S Jaishankar as its Vice-Chair, among other distinguished
dignitaries from different fields.
Key Points:
• The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Overseas Indian Honour/
Award) is the highest Indian award for Non-resident Indian
and Overseas Citizen of India or an organisation or institution
established and run by Non-Resident Indians or Persons of
Indian Origin.
• Constituted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs,
Government of India in conjunction with the Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas.
Recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023

S.No Person Country Field
1 JagadishChennupati Australia Science & Technology/ Education
2 Sanjeev Mehta Bhutan Education
3 DilipLoundo Brazil Art & Culture/Education
4 Alexander Maliakel John Brunei Darussalam Medicine
5 VaikuntamIyerLakshmanan Canada Community Welfare
6 Joginder Singh Nijjar Croatia Art & Culture/Education
7 Ramjee Prasad Denmark Information Technology
8 KannanAmbalam Ethiopia Community Welfare
9 Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyay Community Welfare/Medicine Germany
10 Mohamed Irfaan Ali (Guyana President) Guyana Politics/Community Welfare
11 ReenaVinodPushkarna Israel Business/Community Welfare
12 MaqsoodaSarfiShiotani Japan Education
13 Rajagopal Mexico Education
14 AmitKailash Chandra Lath Poland Business/Community Welfare
15 ParmanandSukhumalDaswani Republic of Congo Community Welfare
16 Piyush Gupta Singapore Business
17 Mohanlal Hira South Africa Community Welfare
18 Sanjay kumar Shivabhai Patel South Sudan Business/Community Welfare
19 SivakumarNadesan Sri Lanka Community Welfare
20 Dewanchandrebhose Sharman Suriname Community Welfare
21 Archana Sharma Switzerland Science & Technology
22 Frank Arthur Seepersad Trinidad & Tobago Community Welfare/Education
23 SiddharthBalachandran UAE Business/Community Welfare
24 ChandrakantBabubhai Patel UK Media
25 Darshan Singh Dhaliwal USA Business/Community Welfare
26 Rajesh Subramaniam USA Business
27 Ashok Kumar Tiwary Uzbekistan Business
Padma Awards 2023 For the year 2023, the President has approved conferment of
106 Padma Awards including 3 duo cases (in a duo case, the
Award is counted as one) as per list below.
Key Points:
• The Padma Awards are India’s highest civilian honors after
the Bharat Ratna, seeking to “recognize achievements in all
fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public
service is involved”.
• The list comprises 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan
and 91 Padma Shri Awards.
• Padma Vibhushan is awarded for ‘exceptional and
distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan is awarded for ‘distinguished service of a
high order
• Padma Shri is awarded for ‘distinguished service’. 90 peoples
got Padma Sri Awards.
Padma Vibhushan winners list

S. No Person Field State / Country
1 ShriBalkrishnaDoshi (Posthumous) Others – Architecture Gujarat
2 ShriZakirHussain Art Maharashtra
3 Shri S M Krishna Public Affairs Karnataka
4 ShriDilipMahalanabis (Posthumous) Medicine West Bengal
5 ShriSrinivasVaradhan Science & Engineering United States of America
6 ShriMulayam Singh Yadav (Posthumous) Public Affairs Uttar Pradesh
Padma Bhushan Winners List
S. No Name Field State / Country
1 Shri S L Bhyrappa Literature & Education Karnataka
2 Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla Trade & Industry Maharashtra
3 Shri Deepak Dhar Science & Engineering Maharashtra
4 Ms.VaniJairam Art Tamil Nadu
5 Swami ChinnaJeeyar Others – Spiritualism Telangana
6 Ms.SumanKalyanpur Art Maharashtra
7 ShriKapilKapoor Literature & Education Delhi
8 Ms.SudhaMurty Social Work Karnataka
9 ShriKamlesh D Patel Others – Spiritualism Telangana
Golden Globe Awards 2023 The 80th edition of 2023 Golden Globes show, hosted by Jerrod
Carmichael, airs live on NBC and Peacock.
Key Points:
• The 80th Golden Globe Awards is the first edition of the
annual spectacle to be on TV.
• The show will hand out honors in both film and TV categories.

S.No. Category Winners

1 Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy “Abbott Elementary”
2 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series, Drama Kevin Costner, “Yellowstone”
3 Best Director, Motion Picture Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans”
4 Best Screenplay, Motion Picture Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
5 Best Motion Picture, Non-English Language “Argentina, 1985”
6 Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama Cate Blanchett, “Tár”
7 Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series, Drama Zendaya, “Euphoria”
8 Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama Austin Butler, “Elvis”
9 Best Motion Picture, Animated “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”
10 Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
11 Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”
12 Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
13 Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
14 Best Original Song, Motion Picture “NaatuNaatu,” “RRR”
15 Best Original Score, Motion Picture Justin Hurwitz, “Babylon”
ICC annual awards 2022 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its first
individual award winners.
Key Points:
• The ICC has announced its first individual award winners
in the ICC Awards 2022, naming the stars honoured in the
Associate, Emerging and T20I.
• Winners in the 13 individual categories were based on
overall performances and achievements throughout the
calendar year, with winners announced across ICC digital
channels.
ICC awards winners for 2022

S.No Name Country
1 Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy: Babar Azam (Pakistan)
2 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: Nat Sciver (England)
3 Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year: Ben Stokes (England)
4 Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: Babar Azam
5 Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: Nat Sciver
6 Men’s T20 International Cricketer of the Year: SuryakumarYadav (India)
7 Women’s T20 International Cricketer of the Year: Tahlia McGrath (Australia)
8 Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Marco Jansen (South Africa)
9 Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Renuka Singh (India)
10 Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year: Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia)
11 Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year: EshaOza (India)
12 David Shepherd Trophy: Richard Illingworth (England)
13 Spirit of Cricket Award: Aasif Sheikh (Nepal)

R’Bonney Gabriel crowned Miss Universe The United States candidate R’Bonney Gabriel has been crowned
Miss Universe 2022 at a ceremony held in New Orleans, Mexico.
Key Points:
• The crown was presented to her by India’s Harnaaz Kaur
Sandhu who had won the 2021 title.
• She was handed a bouquet of flowers, draped in the
winner’s sash and crowned with a tiara onstage at the 71st
Miss Universe Competition.
• The second runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic,
Andreina Martinez.
Other Awards
S. No. Awards Person and Organization
Subhash Chandra Bose AapdaPrabandhan 1.Odisha State Disaster Management Authority
1
Puraskar-2023 2.Lunglei Fire Station (LFS), Mizoram
2 UN-Habitat's World Habitat Awards 2023 Jaga Mission (Orissa)
3 Odakuzhal Award 2022 AmbikasuthanMangad (Writer)
Award for Global Leadership Dr. DY Chandrachud
4
(Harvard Law School Center) (Chief Justice of India)
Composer MM Keeravani,
5 Best Song at Golden Globe Awards 2023
Singers KaalaBhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, the track “NaatuNaatu,”
lifetime achievement award
6 (15th Edition of the Jaipur International Film Actress Aparna Sen
Festival)
Golden Kailasha award for the best movie at the
7 Rajasthani film, Naanera
Ajanata-Ellora Film Festival
1.RRR won Best Song award for NaatuNaatu
8 28th Critics Choice Awards
2.Best Foreign Language film
9 Digital India Awards 2022 e-NAM (the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare)
5- star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification
10 Varanasi Cantt Railway Station
(FSSAI)
11 PatangraoKadam (Maharashtra) Adar Poonawalla (vaccine work)
12 Federal Bank Literary Award 2023 K Venu (Writer)
PanditHariprasadChaurasia Lifetime Achievement
13 Dr. PrabhaAtre
Award
14 The most distinguished scientist of the year 2022 RV Prassad
Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport
15 (ASSOCHAM 14th International Conference-cum- Goa Manohar International Airport
Awards for Civil Aviation 2023)

Updates
IMPORTANT DAYS
Monthly
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2023 • NTDs are a group of infections that are most common
among marginalised communities in the developing regions
of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
World Leprosy Day 2023
DATE: 30th January 2023

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (World NTD Day) is
observed on January 30 every year to raise awareness about
neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a critical public health DATE: 29th January 2023
challenge so that we can progress towards their elimination. World Leprosy Day (WLD) is celebrated on the last Sunday of
Key Points: January. In 2023, World Leprosy Day is Sunday 29 January.
• 2023 theme is “Act Now. Act Together. Invest in Neglected Key Points:
Tropical Diseases”. The theme of World Leprosy Day 2023 is “Act Now. End Leprosy.”
• The proposal to recognise the day was floated by the United This year’s theme calls attention to three key messages:
Arab Emirates. • Elimination is possible: We have the power and tools to stop
• It was adopted unanimously by the delegates. transmission and defeat this disease.
• The first World NTD Day was celebrated informally in 2020. • Act now: We need the resources and commitment to end
leprosy. Prioritize leprosy elimination.
Other Important Days with Themes
Date Important Days Themes
1st January Global Family Day -
4th January World Braille Day -
6th January World Day of War Orphans -
8th January African National Congress Foundation Day -
Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India's Progress in
9th January NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Amrit Kaal
10th January World Hindi Day Hindi – Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence
Death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri -
11th January
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day -
12th January National Youth Day Viksit Yuva Viksit Bharat
15th January Indian Army Day -
21st January Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya Foundation Day -
23rd January Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti -
National Girl Child Day -
24th January
International Day of Education to invest in people, prioritize education
National Voters Day -
25th January
National Tourism Day -
Republic Day -
26th January Nurturing the next generation: Promoting a culture of
International Customs Day
knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs
28th January Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai -
29th January World Leprosy Day Act Now. End Leprosy
30th January Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas -
54
Updates
Obituaries
Monthly
NATIONAL
Lance Naik Bhairon Singh Rathore • Lance Naik Bhairon Singh Rathore was awarded the Sena
Medal in 1972 for his bravery.
H.R Keshava Murthy
Lance Naik Bhairon Singh Rathore, a BSF veteran and hero of

the 1971 India-Pakistan War, passed away in Jodhpur at the age
of 81.
Key Highlights:
• Lance Naik Bhairon Singh Rathore, a BSF veteran and hero H.R. Keshava Murthy, a senior gamaka exponent, who was
of the 1971 India-Pakistan War, passed away in Jodhpur at honoured with Padma Shri earlier this year, passed away.
the age of 81. Key Highlights:
• Around 6 am on 5 December 1971, an enemy brigade, led by • H.R. Keshava Murthy was born in a family of gamaka artists.
a regiment of T-59 tanks, launched an attack on Longewala, • Gamaka, also known as kaavya vaachana, is a form of
Rajasthan. After supported strikes by the Indian Air Force, a storytelling by singing that originated in Karnataka, India.
company under the leadership of Lance Naik Rathore was • Keshava Murthy has been honored with many awards
sent. including Shantala Natya Shri award, by the State
• According to the records, Rathore took his light machine government and different cultural organisations.
gun and inflicted heavy casualties, forcing the Pakistani • The President honoured him with the Padma Shri this year.
Army to retreat.
INTERNATIONAL
Fay Weldon Fay Weldon (feminist writer) passed away on January 4, 2023.
Key Highlights:
• She was born in Birmingham, England, on September 22,
1931.
• English author, essayist, and playwright Fay Weldon is
famous for her work as a self-described feminist.
• She wrote 31 books, including "The Life and Loves of a She-
Devil," which the BBC aired on television in 1986.
• The Fat Woman's Joke, Weldon's debut novel, was published
in the late 1960s, marking the beginning of her writing
career.

Dick Savitt • Savitt appeared on the cover of Time magazine’s Aug. 27,
1951.
Bernard Kalb
Dick Savitt, the tennis Hall of Famer who won the men’s singles Bernard Kalb was a famous American journalist, moderator,
championships at the 1951 Australian and Wimbledon Grand media critic, lecturer, and author; he died at the age of 100.
Slam tournaments died at the age of 95. Key Points:
Key Points: • Kalb was born in New York City on February 4, 1922. He
• Savitt became the second American to win both the graduated from the City College of New York with a B.S.S.
Australian and Wimbledon men’s titles in a calendar year. and later received an M.A. from Harvard University.
• Savitt was ranked among the top 10 American players six • For more than three decades, Kalb covered international
times in the 1950s and among the world’s top 10 four times. events for The New York Times, NBC News, and CBS News.
• He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame • Kalb was appointed U.S. State Department spokesperson
in 1976. and Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs in 1984.

56
Updates
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Monthly
Books Authors
Forks In The Road: My Days At RBI And Beyond C. Rangarajan
The Indian Navy@75 Commodore Ranjit Rai (R) & Aritra Banerjee
India’s Knowledge Supremacy: The New Dawn Dr Ashwin Fernandes

COACHING BEYOND: My Days With The Indian Cricket
R. Kaushik, R. Sridhar
Team
Come! Let’s Run Released by Tamil Nadu Health Minister
Revolutionaries – The Other Story Of How India Won Its
Amit Shah
Freedom
Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story Aashish Chandorkar
Spare Prince Harry Released His Memoir
Jadunama Written On Veteran Writer-Lyricist Javed Akhtar By Arvind Mandloi
Autobiography Of Prof. K.K. Abdul Gaffar Released by Cricket Legend M S Dhoni
Roller Coaster: An Affair With Banking Tamal Bandyopadhyay
Chief Minister’s Diary No.1 Released by Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi
Revolutionaries’ On Role In India’s Freedom Struggle Sanjeev Sanyal
Ambedkar: A Life Shashi Tharoor
Human Anatomy Dr AK Dwivedi
The World: A Family History Simon Sebag Montefiore
Breaking Barriers IAS Kaki Madhava Rao

52 DŽŶƚŚůǇƵƌƌĞŶƚǀĞŶƚƐŝĂƌǇ Monthly Current Events Diary 57
t/EZͳ:EhZz͕ϮϬϮϯ WINR - February, 2023

58
Updates
Sports
Monthly
NATIONAL
Khelo India Youth Games- Women Madhya Pradesh defeated Odisha 6-5 to clinch Khelo India Youth
Games 2022 Men’s Under-18 Qualifiers title in Bhubaneswar.
Key Points:
• In a thrilling final, Jamir Mohammad was the star of the
final, scoring a hat-trick, while Ali Ahmed, Mohammad Zaid
Khan and captain Ankit Pal scored one goal each for Madhya
Pradesh.
• On the other hand, Anmol Ekka, Paulus Lakra, Deepak Minz
and Akash Soreng scored one goal each for Odisha.
• Haryana defeated Jharkhand 2-0 to secure the third position
in the competition.
• Amandeep and Roshan scored the goals for Haryana. With
this, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana and Jharkhand have
qualified for the Khelo India Youth Games to be held in
Madhya Pradesh next year.
Hockey Haryana's women's team won the Khelo India Youth Dexa: BCCI’s new selection criteria
Games 2022 Women’s Under 18 Qualifiers after defeating
Madhya Pradesh (2-0) in the final at Bhubaneswar.
Key Points:
• In the final match, Pooja and Gurmail Kaur scored a goal
each for Haryana to end the contest in their favour.
• Odisha stepped up to claim third place after beating Hockey
Jharkhand 2-1 in the 3rd and 4th place encounter.
• Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand have
qualified for the Khelo India Youth Games (Women) to be
held in Madhya Pradesh next year.
Khelo India Youth Games-Men

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on
January 1st that the Dexa bone density test will be mandatory
for Indian players to be selected for the national team.
Key Points:
• DEXA, or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, is a method of
determining bone mineral density using spectral imaging.
• Two X-ray beams at different energy levels are directed at
the bone, and the resulting chart shows the current bone
density and mineral content of the bone.
• DEXA can also measure body composition and record body
fat and muscle mass.

Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the world’s
largest dedicated hockey stadium in Rourkela, Odisha.
Key Points:
• The BMHS will host 20 of the 44 matches of the Men’s FIH
Hockey World Cup, which is set to begin on January 13.
• The remaining matches will be held at the Kalinga Stadium
in Bhubaneswar.
• The mascot for the FIH Odisha Hockey World Cup is ‘Olly’, an
Olive Ridley sea turtle that travels to the coast of Odisha to
nest every year.
NATIONAL
Women's FIH Nations Cup 2022 Tata Steel Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Hockey India on December 13, 2022 to become
an Official Partner of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup
2023 Bhubaneswar – Rourkela.
Key Points:
• Tata Steel has contributed in strengthening the national
sport of India through various top-notch high-performance
residential hockey training facilities, international coaches,
nutritionists, and mental and physical trainers.
• This journey started with the Naval Tata Hockey Academy
which was founded in the year 2017 as a state-of-the-art
facility to enable budding field hockey talent at the grassroot
level in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
• The FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup will be the fourth
The Indian women Hockey team led by Captain Savita Punia
time that India will be hosting the prestigious tournament
beat Spain 1-0 in the final to win the inaugural FIH Nations Cup
after organising it in 1982 in Bombay, 2010 in New Delhi,
played at Valencia, Spain. and 2018 in Bhubaneswar. A total of 16 nations will take part
Key Points: in the upcoming tournament.
• The inaugural FIH Nations cup was held in Valencia, Spain Blind T20 World Cup 2022
from 11-17 December 2022.
• India and Spain had played in the FIH women’s Hockey Pro
League 2021-22 season.
• Hockey India has announced cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for every
member of the squad and Rs 1 lakh each for all the support
staff.
Tata Partnered FIH Men's World Cup 2023
The Indian national blind cricket team won the T20 World
Cup for the Blind for the third time in a row They defeated
Bangladesh at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium by a
commanding score of 120 runs.

Key Points: Pranesh M becomes the Youngest Grandmaster

• The Indian captain, Ajay Kumar Reddy elected to bat after
winning the toss, and his side eventually set a challenging
total of 277 runs for Bangladesh.
• Sunil Ramesh won Man of the Match award in the
championship. He was also given the B3 category’s Man of
the Series award.
• Ajay won the title of Man of the Series in the B2 division.
• Mohammed Mahmud Rashid of Bangladesh won the title of
Man of the Series in the B1 division.
First ever Table Tennis Series event in India

At age 16, Indian Pranesh M becomes the youngest grandmaster.
Key Highlights:
• A 16-year-old Tamil Nadu boy named Pranesh M has been
named the 79th Grandmaster of India.
• Pranesh won the Rilton Cup in the final round of the
competition at Stockholm, Sweden, which included 136
players from 29 country federations, after achieving the
necessary 2500 ELO rating.
• Pranesh won the competition, while R Raja Rithvik, a fellow
countryman and Grandmaster, came in eighth with six
points.
• In January 2020 at the 18th Delhi GM Open, Pranesh won
his first norm. In December 2021, in Spain, at the Sunway
Goa will host India’s first ever World Table Tennis (WTT) series Sitges International Chess Festival, he got his second norm.
event from February 27 to March 5.
Sania Mirza retires from professional tennis
Key Points:
• The top tier WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 will take place
at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium, located at
the Goa University Campus.
• WTT Series is the official professional table tennis series of
events, with the world’s best players facing each other off in
various category tournaments throughout the year with the
four Grand Smashes being the ultimate prize to win.
• World Table Tennis (WTT) was created by the International
Table Tennis Federation in 2019 to create and manage
professional men’s and women’s Table Tennis events around
the world.
• The six Star Contender events pit 48 men and women in the
respective singles main draws, with the top 30 world ranks
eligible to play, four among whom will compulsorily have to SaniaMirza announced that she will retire from professional
be in the world top 20. tennis in February at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai.
Key Highlights:
• She is the winner of six Grand Slam doubles Championships.
• She became first Indian woman to win a WTA singles
championship when she won the Hyderabad event in 2005.

Updates
Healthcare
Monthly
Macro/micro porous ionic organic framework
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and

Research (IISER) in Pune, India have developed a unique molecular
sponge-like material that can effectively clean polluted water. India had set a target to eliminate Measles and Rubella (MR) by
2023, having missed the earlier deadline of 2020.
Key Points:
• The material, called a macro/micro porous ionic organic Key Points:
framework, is able to absorb and remove a wide range of Measles:
toxic contaminants, including organic dyes, antibiotics, • It is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus
pesticides, iodides, and Oxo-pollutants such as perrhenate. with 1 serotype. It is classified as a member of the genus
• These contaminants can pose a direct threat to human Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family.
health and the environment, and are commonly found in • It is particularly dangerous for children from the economically
freshwater sources. weaker background, as it attacks malnourished children and
• The material was able to remove over 93% of a wide range those with reduced immunity.
of contaminants within 30 seconds. Rubella:
Covovax Heterologous Booster Dose • It is caused by the rubella virus which is an enveloped
single-stranded RNA virus.
• Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause death or
congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome
(CRS) which causes irreversible birth defects.
Har Ghar Dhyan Campaign
The Central drug regulatory authority, Drugs Controller General

of India (DCGI), has approved the market authorization of Serum
Institute of India’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covovax, as a heterologous
booster dose.
Key Points:
• This booster dose is for those who have already received
two doses of Covishield or Covaxin. The National Mental Health Survey conducted in 2015-16 says
• Covovax is a recombinant protein-based vaccine that is that there are 150 million Indians suffering from mental illness.
manufactured through technology transfer from Novavax. Key Points:
• Previously, DCGI had approved Covovax for restricted use in • The Ministry of Culture is conducting the campaign along
emergency situations in adults on December 28, 2021. with the Art of Living Foundation.
• The organization is a non–profit, humanitarian, and
Measles and Rubella
educational organization spread across 180 countries.
Updates
POLICIES & SCHEMES
Monthly
Pradhan Mantri GaribKalyan Ann Yojana Key Points:

(PMGKAY) • The Womaniya initiative is particularly important because
nearly 80% of women-owned establishments are self-
financed and more than 60% of 8 million units are owned
and or led by women entrepreneurs from socially-challenged
sections of the society.
• The initiative is represented by artist Anukta M Ghosh’s
artwork “Magan”, an illustration of women empowerment
and grace.
• Products like handicrafts and handloom, accessories, jute
and coir products, home décor, and office furnishings are
categorized for ease-in-procurement.
Performance Assessment Review and Analysis

Pradhan Mantri GaribKalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) is an
integrated food security scheme launched by the Central of Knowledge for Holistic Development
Government of India in January 2023. (PARAKH)
Key Points:
• The entitlement of food grains per person per month is 5
kg for priority household’s category and 35 kg per family per
month for Antodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) families.
• Until December 2022, the NFSA beneficiaries were getting
their foodgrains entitlement at a highly subsidised rate of
Rs.1, Rs.2, and Rs.3 per kg for coarse cereals, wheat and rice,
respectively.
• However, from January 2023, the beneficiaries will get it for
free.
“Womaniya” initiative The Government of India recently launched Performance

Assessment Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic
Development (PARAKH) to assess the performance of secondary
and higher secondary students.
Key Points:
• PARAKH will bring uniformity to the analysis procedures. Itis
to function under NCERT.
• It will release guidelines to the state and central boards.
• PARAKH will conduct National Achievement Survey. It will
work with international organizations and education boards.
The Government e Marketplace (GeM) has launched a new
initiative called “Womaniya on GeM” to empower women
entrepreneurs and women self-help groups (WSHGs) to sell
their products directly to various government ministries,
departments, and institutions.

Based on the
SUCCESS STORIES Monthly Current Events Diary 63
of more thanMitra
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UPSC Toppers
Private firms will soon be able to partner with Archaeological
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This book is a ROADMAP the Monument Mitra Scheme.
Key Points:
It is a window into how a • Scheme would be based on the Corporate Social
Responsibility model and a new website having the names
UPSC TOPPER thinks, behaves of all the heritage sites, would also be launched.
and performs consistently • Monument Mitra' is the term coined for an entity partnering
with the government under the 'Adopt A Heritage' project.
at a high level. • It was launched under the Ministry of Tourism earlier and
then transferred to the Ministry of Culture.
The answer to what separates
the cream of the crop from
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Essay in IAS Main Exams
Step-by-Step Guide to Essay & Answer Writing

64

Updates
CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQs
Monthly
1. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Prajjwala Challenge’? (a) Sri Lanka (b) Austria
(a) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (c) UAE (d) Bangladesh
(b) Ministry of Rural Development 11. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently took charge as the
(c) Ministry of Home Affairs President of which country?
(d) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (a) Brazil (b) France
2. Which institution has urged stock exchanges to set up (c) Italy (d) Argentina
Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform? 12. Which country recently switched to euro from its kuna
(a) RBI (b) SEBI currency and became the 20th member of the Eurozone?
(c) NITI Aayog (d) Supreme Court (a) Slovenia (b) Croatia
3. Which Department under the ‘Ministry of Finance’ (c) Serbia (d) Romania
notifies changes in rates on small savings schemes? 13. As per the CMIE’s latest report, which state had recorded
(a) Department of Expenditure the highest unemployment rate among states in
December 2022?
(b) Department of Economic Affairs
(a) New Delhi (b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Department of Revenue
(c) Haryana (d) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Department of Financial Services
14. Which country inaugurated the Pokhara Regional
4. What is the target for agricultural and processed food
International Airport (PRIA), with the support of China?
products from India for 2022-23?
(a) Sri Lanka (b) Nepal
(a) USD 3.56 billion (b) USD 13.56 billion
(c) Bangladesh (d) Bhutan
(c) USD 23.56 billion (d) USD 43.56 billion
15. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who is a recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya
5. What is the outlay of the ‘Broadcasting Infrastructure and
Samman Award, is the President of which country?
Network Development (BIND) scheme’?
(a) Israel (b) Guyana
(a) Rs 1500 crore (b) Rs 2500 crore
(c) Ukraine (d) UAE
(c) Rs 3000 crore (d) Rs 4000 crore
16. Who is the first woman officer to be operationally
6. Which institution launched its Medium-term Strategy
deployed at Kumar Post, Siachen?
Framework named ‘Utkarsh 2.0’?
(a) Captain Shiva Chouhan
(a) ISRO (b) RBI
(b) Captain Bhawana Kanth
(c) DRDO (d) NITI Aayog
(c) Captain Avani Chaturvedi
7. ‘Future Engineer Program’ is an initiative of which of the
following entities? (d) Captain Mohana Singh Jitarwal
(a) Meta (b) Amazon 17. Which High Court has directed the city government to
ensure free food and medical treatment to HIV-positive
(c) Samsung (d) IBM
persons?
8. Which institution developed the Bharat Interface for
(a) Delhi High Court (b) Bombay High Court
Money (BHIM) app?
(c) Chennai High Court (d) Allahabad High Court
(a) RBI (b) NPCI
18. Where is the ‘Institute of Mathematical Sciences’ located?
(c) SEBI (d) NASSCOM
(a) Mumbai (b) Mysuru
9. Which sportsperson won both the World Rapid and
World Blitz chess titles? (c) Chennai (d) Panaji
(a) R Praggnananda (b) Magnus Carlsen 19. Which state hosted the ‘National Scout and Guide
Jamboree’?
(c) Koneru Humpy (d) Harika Dronavalli
(a) Karnataka (b) Rajasthan
10. India recently signed a ‘Comprehensive Migration and
Mobility Partnership Agreement’ in which country? (c) Tamil Nadu (d) Gujarat

20. Bailey Suspension Bridge’ has been inaugurated in which 26. Which city is the host of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
state/UT? convention 2023?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir (b) Arunachal Pradesh (a) Varanasi (b) Indore
(c) Assam (d) Karnataka (c) Pune (d) Chennai
21. Where is the headquarters of ‘Asian Pacific Postal Union’? 27. The Aspirational Block Programme (ABP), which was
launched recently, covers how many districts initially?
(a) Mumbai (b) Bangkok
(a) 100 (b) 200
(c) Colombo (d) Dhaka
(c) 500 (d) 1000
22. Which country developed the Aadhaar-like platform for 9
countries called ‘Modular Open-Source Identity Platform 28. Which Union Ministry is organising the ‘Startup India
Innovation Week’?
(MOSIP)’?
(a) Ministry of MSME
(a) China (b) India
(b) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
(c) Israel (d) USA
(c) Ministry of Home Affairs
23. Which article of Indian Constitution deals with the right
to freedom of speech and expression? (d) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
29. Which country developed the Aadhaar-like platform for 9
(a) Article 14 (b) Article 16
countries called ‘Modular Open-Source Identity Platform
(c) Article 19 (d) Article 22 (MOSIP)’?
24. Which start-up built the ‘AzaadiSAT’ satellite, which is (a) China (b) India
made by 750 school girls? (c) Israel (d) USA
(a) Dhruv Aerospace (b) Pixxel 30. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Draft Online Gaming
(c) Space Kidz India (d) Astra Policy’?
25. Which state houses the world’s first Palm-leaf Manuscript (a) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Museum? (b) Ministry of Science and Technology
(a) Karnataka (b) Kerala (c) Ministry of Home Affairs
(c) Tamil Nadu (d) Odisha (d) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Hints and Solutions
1. (b) Ministry of Rural Development’s Deendayal Antyodaya simple and quick transactions using Unified Payments
Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY- Interface (UPI). In November 2022, National Payments
NRLM) has launched the Prajjwala Challenge. Under Corporation of India (NPCI) announced the launch of
the challenge, ideas are invited from individuals, BHIM App open source license model. Recently, the
Enterprises, Start ups, Private Sector, Civil Society and sixth anniversary of BHIM app was celebrated.
others to transform the rural economy. 9. (b) Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen created
2. (b) Markets regulator SEBI has asked stock exchanges a unique feat when he won both the World Rapid
to set up an Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) and World Blitz chess titles in Almaty. The 32-year-
platform. The platform will give investors an old became the holder of all three world chess
opportunity to square off their position or cancel championship titles – in Classical, Rapid and Blitz –
pending orders in case of disruption of trading for the third time in his career. As of 2022, no other
services. player has ever won both the Rapid and Blitz titles in
3. (b) Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry the same year.
of Finance notifies changes in rates on small savings 10. (b) India signed a ‘Comprehensive Migration and
schemes. Recently, the government hiked the interest Mobility Partnership Agreement’ (MMPA) with
rates on various small savings schemes including Austria for migration and mobility of Indian students
senior citizen savings scheme for the January to March and professionals. External Affairs Minister S Jai
quarter. The PPF will continue to earn 7.10%, while Shankar is the first visit of an Indian foreign minister
Sukanya Samriddhi account scheme will continue to to Austria in 27 years. India had earlier signed
earn 7.6% interest rate. mobility agreements with the UK, France, Germany
and Finland.
4. (c) India’s agricultural and processed food products
exports rose by 16 per cent in the first eight months 11. (a) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office for a third term
(April-November) of the current financial year 2022- as Brazil’s President, after the divisive election in
23 on an annual basis. For the year 2022-23, an October. The outgoing leader of the Latin America’s
export target of $23.56 billion has been fixed for the biggest economy is Jair Bolsonaro. The 77-year-old
agricultural and processed food products basket. ex-metalworker Lula da Silva previously led Brazil
from 2003 to 2010.
5. (b) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information 12. (b) Croatia switched to the euro and entered Europe’s
and Broadcasting regarding the Central Sector borderless zone as Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic
Scheme ‘Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network called a historic moment for his country. The Balkan
Development’ (BIND). The BIND scheme aims to nation bid farewell to its kuna currency and became
bring modernisation to the public broadcaster Prasar the 20th member of the Eurozone. It is now the 27th
nation in the passport-free Schengen zone.
Bharati i.e. All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan
(DD). The outlay of the scheme is Rs.2,540 crore for 13. (c) India’s unemployment rate reached a 16-month
the time period up to 2025-26. high of 8.3 percent in December 2022 according to a
report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy
6. (b) The Reserve Bank of India’s Medium-term Strategy
(CMIE). CMIE added that the increase was partly due
Framework for the period 2023-2025 named ‘Utkarsh
to the increase in labour participation rate.
2.0’ was launched by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
The first strategy framework (Utkarsh 2022) covering 14. (b) Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachand
the period 2019-2022 was launched in July 2019. inaugurated the country’s third international airport
in Pokhara built with Chinese assistance. The Pokhara
7. (b) Amazon Future Engineer is a program aimed at Regional International Airport (PRIA), a flagship
increasing access to computer science education for project of Nepal-China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
children and young adults. It was launched in India cooperation, was constructed with Chinese loan
in the year 2021. National Education Society for assistance. Besides the Tribhuvan International
Tribal Students (NESTS), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has Airport in Kathmandu, Gautam Buddha International
partnered with Amazon to empower teachers and Airport was upgraded as international airport in May
students in the field of digital education. 2022.
8. (b) Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) was launched on 15. (b) President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the ninth President of
30 December 2016 in India. The payment application Guyana, is one among the 21 recipients of the 17th
was indigenously developed by National Payment Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA). He will also
Corporation of India (NPCI). The app lets users make be the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Convention will be held this time in Indore. US-based minister, even if these statements are traceable to any
businessman Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, and DSB Group affairs of the State or for protecting the government,
CEO Piyush Gupta are among 21 recipients. cannot be attributed to the government.
16. (a) Captain Shiva Chouhan, an officer from the Corps 24. (c) Space Kidz India, a Chennai-based space tech start-up
of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, became is set to launch their satellite made by 750 girls from
the first woman officer to be operationally deployed government schools aboard an Indian Space Research
at Kumar Post in the Siachen Glacier. The post is Organisation (ISRO) launch vehicle. A targeted launch
located at an altitude of 15,632 feet. Kumar Post is date of January 16 has been set for the satellite
named after late Colonel Narinder Kumar, who was named AzaadiSAT. Space Kidz India selected 10 girl
instrumental in the Indian Army launching ‘Operation students from 75 government schools across the
Meghdoot’ and securing the Siachen Glacier in 1984. country for this mission. The project is also supported
17. (a) Delhi High Court has directed the city government by Niti Aayog.
to ensure free food and medical treatment to HIV- 25. (b) The world’s first Palm-leaf Manuscript Museum has
positive persons living below the poverty line. It also been inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital
directed the government to strictly comply with the of Kerala. It is a repository of administrative, socio-
law dealing with the grievances of affected patients. cultural and economic facets of Travancore spanning
18. (c) Department of Posts under Tamilnadu Circle a period of 650 years till the end of the 19th century.
released a Special Cover on 60 Years of The Institute The museum also serves as a reference point for
of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc). The Institute of historical and cultural research for academic and
Mathematical Sciences is a premier research institute non-academic scholars.
in Chennai, India founded by Alladi Ramakrishnan in 26. (b) Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with the
1962. Since its inception, members of the institute Presidents of Guyana and Suriname on the sidelines
have engaged in research in fundamental and of the two-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention
interdisciplinary sciences. in Indore. Guyana President Irfaan Ali and Surinam
19. (b) President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 18th President Chandrikapersad Santokhi will be the
National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the chief guest and special guest of honour at this year’s
Pali district of Rajasthan. The First National Jamboree conclave.
of the Bharat Scouts and Guides was organized at 27. (c) Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the
Hyderabad in the year 1953. Rajasthan hosted the government’s Aspirational Block Programme (ABP),
Jamboree after 66 years. Over 35,000 scouts and to improve performance of blocks lagging on
guides from all over the country participated in the development parameters. The Aspirational Blocks
7-day-event. Programme is on the lines of the Aspirational District
20. (a) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated Programme that was launched in 2018, covering 112
the Bailey Suspension Bridge over river Chenab districts across the country. The new programme
in Jammu and Kashmir. The 240 feet high Bailey will cover 500 districts across 31 states and Union
Suspension Bridge has been completed by the Border Territories initially.
Roads Organisation (BRO), a month before the 28. (b) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
deadline. The launching of the new bailey suspension Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and
reinforced bridge was initiated in October. Industry is organising ‘Startup India Innovation Week
21. (b) Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) is an 2023’ from January 10-16. It aims to celebrate the
intergovernmental organisation of 32 member Indian startup ecosystem. On the National Startup
countries of the Asia-Pacific region. It is the only Day on January 16, DPIIT will felicitate the winners of
restricted union of the Universal Postal Union National Startup Awards.
(UPU), a UN specialised agency. India will take over 29. (b) International Institute of Information Technology
the leadership of the Asian Pacific Postal Union Bangalore (IIITB) has developed a platform to provide
(APPU) from this month, as per the Ministry of Aadhaar-like digital identities for nine countries. The
Communications. Modular Open-Source Identity Platform (MOSIP)
22. (b) International Institute of Information Technology is a digital identity platform. Citizens of Philippines,
Bangalore (IIITB) has developed a platform to provide Morocco, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Ethiopia, Republic of
Aadhaar-like digital identities for nine countries. The Guinea, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Togolese
Modular Open-Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) Republic will enrol on the platform.
is a digital identity platform. Citizens of Philippines, 30. (a) The draft rules for online gaming in India was released
Morocco, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Ethiopia, Republic of by the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Guinea, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Togolese Technology (MEITY). The ‘Draft Amendments to the
Republic will enrol on the platform. IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics
23. (c) Article 19(2) lists down eight grounds on which Code) Rules 2021’, propose a ban on betting and
the right to freedom of speech and expression can wagering in online games. The rules propose setting
be reasonably restricted. The Supreme Court has up a self-regulatory body for grievance redressal
ruled with a 4:1 majority that statements made by a and mandating know-your-customer (KYC) rules for
gamers and online gaming intermediaries.

70 Monthly Current Events Diary DŽŶƚŚůǇƵƌƌĞŶƚǀĞŶƚƐŝĂƌǇ 47
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WINR - February, 2023

ii Monthly Current Events Diary

WINR - February, 2023

President as Chief Guest at India’s

WINR - February, 2023

DAVOS SUMMIT 2023: WEF

DAVOS SUMMIT 2023: WEF 2023 Summit Theme: Cooperation in a

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Governance of Global South

can share their best practices with the countries of Global

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3 SC upholding EWS Quota

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The Uniform Civil Code in India

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Graphs from PIB

Source: SBM – Swachh Bharat Mission

February 01, 2023

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Bills and Acts

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Gig Economy in India

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Entry of foreign universities in India

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Startup India Innovation Week

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World Economic Situation and Prospects 2023 Key Points:

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Rupee Comes From

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Budget Allocation for Major Ministries

Direct Tax Proposals

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Disaster Response • Set up of a National Digital Library for children and

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Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)

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India assumes Chairmanship of Wassenaar Key facts:

The new delimitation exercise by Assam

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Parakram Diwas 2023 Disclosure of Journalistic Sources

Delhi court stated that there is no statutory exemption in India

WINR - February, 2023

Davos Summit 2023: WEF

The governments of India and the UK marked Pravasi Bharatiya

WINR - February, 2023

New Dam in Tibet by China Key Points:

WINR - February, 2023

India is set to deploy a platoon of female peacekeepers to the

Indian and the Egyptian Armies are to conduct the first-ever

WINR - February, 2023

Science & Technology

E-sports gets recognition

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates National Genome

National Genome Editing & Training Centre

WINR - February, 2023

WINR - February, 2023